Page 10 of The New Guy
I make a strangled noise, and Reggie grabs the computer out of my hands. “Holy hell.Thatguy? That hottie right there?”
“Omigod,” I whimper. “He’s aplayer. That makes no sense. Why was he in the bar when his team was on the road?”
Unless…
I grab my computer back and google: “Hudson Newgate injury.” Yup. Another news item pops up, from an injury roundup a few days ago.Hudson Newgate out for three games for a lower body injury.
“Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit…”
“Breathe,” my sister says.
“Noooooo,” I wail. “Not only do we work together, but I’ll probably be massaging hislower bodyinjury in thirty-six hours.”
She cackles. “Perks of the job. And, wow little brother. I always knew you were cute, but look who can pull a professional athlete in a bar! Go Gavin!”
“Shhh.” I snap the laptop shut, as if that could undo the damage. “You don’t understand. I didn’t know who he was, so I ran my mouth off about the team!”
“You did?” She’s grinning ear to ear, like this is the most charming story she’s ever heard.
“Stop smiling! He asked me what I thought of the defensive pairings. And I said…” I want to die now. “I said I wasunderwhelmed.”
She giggles.
I hate my sister.
“Oh Gavin! It must not have been that bad, if he still wanted to…” She drops her voice. “…Polish your piston.”
My head drops into my hands, and I let out another moan. “Maybe he was just really horny.”
“Who knew Brooklyn had a queer player? This is fascinating.”
My stomach fizzes with anxiety. “Reggie? You can’t mention this to anyone. He obviously isn’t out.”
“I am a vault,” she says. “But maybe it’s not a big deal. Maybe he’s out to his teammates.”
I shake my head. “I doubt it. When I had my interview, I made a point to tell the head trainer that I’m an out gay man. And then he made a point to tell me the team would never discriminate.” I’d really liked Henry, and—up until a few minutes ago—I’d been excited to start this job.
“That’s good, right?”
“Right. But then he said—‘we have out players within the organization.’ And I asked if any of them were men. Because hockey isn’t historically welcoming to queer men. And he said ‘So far the only out athletes are on the women’s team.’”
“Ah.” She bites her lip. “So your new friend has a secret.”
“Sure sounds that way.”
“Well, shit,” she says. “He’s not going to be very happy to see you again, is he?”
“Probably not.”
She gives me a sad look. “I’m sorry, Gav. I hope that doesn’t ruin your enthusiasm for meeting hot guys in bars. Eddie wouldn’t want you to be lonely for the rest of your life, you know.”
I know she’s right. But that doesn’t make this any less awkward.
* * *
Reggie retreats to her tiny bedroom after that.
My sister is living rent free with us for six months, until she goes off on tour as the bass player in a punk band. In exchange, she is going to pick Jordyn up from school most days and hang out with her until I get home.
